We took the Metro (underground) to Vatican City. The Metro is somewhat of a disappointment after the efficient, clean Singapore system, but it got us there. The crowds were enormous. Last visit had been in January some years ago when the crowds were large, but compared to today, they were tiny. The queue for Saint Peter’s Basilica was so long we could not see the end. There was St Johns ambulance person patrolling in a golf cart with a stretcher to collect people who had collapsed.
Side note from Judy: When I walked into St Peter’s Square, my first thought was ‘Oh, it’s just like Caesar’s Palace at Las Vegas’. Gosh, I’m classy sometimes, aren’t I?
We walked to Castel Saint Angelo which was built by Hadrian. It was very interesting, and we climbed to the top to get a good view of the Vatican and the Tiber River. Then it was a walk to Piazza Novona also full of tourists and people selling paintings, as well as a couple of nice fountains, including the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. Then a walk east to the Pantheon, another building job by Hadrian.
We headed south to Largo di Torre Argentina which was where Caesar was killed on the Ides of March. Further south we headed to the Jewish Ghetto for some late lunch. We crossed the Tiber River a couple of times before walking over Circus Maximus and catching the Metro back to the hotel.
Part of the nearly 1 kilometre long queue to get into Saint Peters at Vatican City
Lane in the Jewish Ghetto Rome
how about all the cig butts at Vatican plenty of pigeons. Two South Korean lads wanted to have there photo taken with me in front of the fountain, such style
Judy, I’ve ALWAYS thought you a classy lady!
Can remember years back..at St Peter’s…oh inside…like a funfair…people draping themselves over angels and so forth…posing in front of the glass coffin of John 23rd..I’d wondered if they asked him…what he thought of the idea of his body being on display…just in general conversation before he died that is!
love love love the lane photo…continue to add your gorgeousness to the world…hugs
Gracie, Madame! Or perhaps I should be calling you ‘Signora’ … when in Rome ‘n’ all that. Hugs back to you and Sieg
I can’t believe the queue , and it isn’t even peak tourist season ! 13 years ago our tour group arrived there at 7’30 so we didn’t have a long wait !
Could have been leftover tourists from Easter. And we’ve heard quite a few US accents, on Spring Break maybe. What time of year were you in Rome, Sal?
Hi Jude , it was March when we visited Rome . I’m loving your Blog and the wonderful photos . The Basillica and shots of Milan are fabulous ! The tours don’t usually go there as it’s difficult to find cheap accommodation for groups . Love to you both . Sal x
You’re right about expensive accommodation in Milan, Sal. We stayed 12 metro stops from the centre of the city and it cost around 105 euro per night. It was a lovely place to stay though. And much cheaper than the Armani Hotel, which was 8,000 euro per night!
The photos are nearly all Greg’s work – he’s clever with his camera, isn’t he? The panoramic shots are 6 or 8 pics stitched together with some software that he found. They look much better than a wide-angle pic, I reckon.
Hi Judy,
Hope you remember me I am Dilki from Sri Lanka, your Bookshelf of Oz customer. I enjoy the pictures and details of your journey so much that I want to do it myself someday. I really loved the Portugese Custard Tarts. Great to know that you are having fantastic time.
Have fun.
Hi Dilki! How lovely to hear from you, my best Women’s Weekly Cookbook customer. Thanks for stopping by and best wishes, Judy